Motegi Japanese Foreign Minister: "Cooperation Among South Korea, US, and Japan Crucial for North Korea Response and Indo-Pacific Regional Peace"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Regarding the US foreign and defense ministers' (2+2) meetings held in South Korea and Japan, the Japanese government once again emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the US, and Japan.

At a press conference held at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 19th, Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu stated, "As confirmed in the 2+2 meeting between Japan and the US, trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the US, and Japan is important for responding to North Korea, as well as for the safety, peace, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region."

Regarding the fact that the joint statement announced by South Korea and the US did not explicitly criticize China, Foreign Minister Motegi responded, "Since this is a South Korea-US ministerial consultation, I would like to refrain from commenting."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held a 2+2 meeting on the 16th in Tokyo with Foreign Minister Motegi and Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo, prior to the 2+2 meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and Defense Minister Seo Wook.

After the talks, Foreign Minister Motegi said, "We reaffirmed the importance of close cooperation among South Korea, the US, and Japan," adding, "We agreed to closely cooperate to realize the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions."

He also added, "We requested continued understanding and cooperation for the early resolution of the abduction issue of Japanese citizens by North Korea, and received strong support from Secretary Blinken."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.